Robots on the control panel. Interactive toys for boys

The world of children's toys does not stand still. And if twenty years ago, children dreamed of dolls and realistic machines, then the baby of the generation of gadgets was conquered by robots on the control panel. It is worth noting, of course, that not only children are interested in them, but adults as well - everything depends on the proposed functional, but nevertheless manufacturers tend to focus more on the young audience. What kind of robot is it on radio control, and can it be something more than just a toy? Can he not only entertain, but also teach something to a child?

Automation of modern life

Let's start with the fact that now more and more places in human life belong to automated devices. Today, few people do it manually, if there is a washing machine, and it's unlikely that you will rely on the sunrise or cock crowing to wake up in the morning when you can set an alarm.

All our home gadgets are the same robots, only of a different level of complexity. An interactive robot has already come to medicine (as an assistant in operations) and to the industry (assembly of machines is done by devices programmed for a specific task), and into the military industry (independent scouts will easily gather the necessary information) that we already talk about various robot assistants , Which Japan is so actively promoting - the world leader in the matter of robotics. You can not be afraid of these innovations, because progress is inevitable, and robots are an integral part of it. Therefore, discard your technophobia and yet think about whether a robot on the remote control for boys can become a truly amazing gift.

Managed and self-managed robots

Let's pass to the classification of robots. To begin with, they are manageable and self-governing, in other words, obey only commands or make decisions themselves. Most often the latter type is a robot on the remote with a camera that fixes the situation around so that artificial intelligence can make a decision. For example, an obstacle appeared on the way - the controlled robot will stop before it, waiting for the command from the console, while the self-controlled, analyzing the situation, will find a way to get around it.

Naturally, self-directed robots are more expensive - they are more complicated in themselves, but still the process of choosing an action plan without the slightest inclusion in it is fascinating.

Dependent and autonomous mechanisms

Next are dependent and stand-alone devices. Dependent requires direct contact with the operator. The most striking example is the exoskeletons loved by the creators of blockbusters: without a contact with a human, such a robot can not function. The autonomous mechanism, which is a robot on radio control, easily manages from outside control, without requiring the constant presence of a person. The latter type, of course, today is more common: it can include both children's toys and home gadgets, and serious cars, such as rovers.

Humanity

The third criterion is similar and abstract. About whether the robot should be as close in appearance to the person as possible, has been arguing for a very long time. Some sincerely believe that this is a violation of all ethical norms. A machine is a machine, and one can not bring its appearance closer to the creatures of nature. Others advocate the integration of robots into human society, believing that the maximum external similarity is excellent in this will help. Androids, that's what robots are called, are sometimes completely indistinguishable from living people, whereas the abstract device immediately recognizes their artificial origin. To which of the two camps adjoin is a personal question for everyone.

Japan, for example, announced that in one of the schools in the first class, together with the children will go two robots. The experiment will help to find out whether androids are able to fully integrate into the human environment. At the same time, some other countries do not fundamentally develop human-like mechanisms.

Size does not matter

Naturally, robots vary in size. Nano, mini, midi and maxi - it all depends on the functions assigned to them. Of course, the robots on the control panel will not be huge, but they make no sense in microscopic. Home-based robot toys are usually no higher than a half-meter tall.

Soft robots ?!

And the last criterion, which, perhaps, will break the stereotypes now is softness and hardness. Yes, in our minds, a robot is certainly a solid cold machine, but now devices are being created, both industrial and household, which are able to change their shape due to special cavities, adapting to the environmental conditions. To the additional advantages of such robots can be attributed their softness in the literal sense of the word. When they collide with a person or an object, they will not cause any harm, since the material for their manufacture is rubber or silicone.

"In the image and likeness"

And what are the robot toys on the control panel? To begin with, we should not limit them to cyborg-like creatures: the market for children's robotics is very extensive. In principle, to this class of mechanisms can be attributed and known to all cars on the control panels, and helicopters, and other models of equipment. But traditionally toy robots are conventionally divided into robots-animals and robots-almost-people.

The first group includes everything that at least resembles a person. For example, a robot-transformer, which can change the form by the command of the control panel, - after all, the Transformers transforming into cars are known from the movie of the same name. Next is an interactive robot. It is more narrowly specialized: it can travel not only forward-backward and right-to-left, but also diagonally, to change the reaction to the commands taking into account the circumstances, for example, to dance to certain music. Such a mechanism is already more complicated than the transformer and more functional than it.

Pets

Next come the robots-animals. Here engineers have full freedom of imagination. Dogs that obey commands respond to the approach or removal of objects and may bark at the appearance of some obstacle; Cats, purring in response to touch and substituting the tummy for scribbling; Snakes dancing to music; Dinosaurs, growling at sudden movements, - the list can be continued indefinitely. Management of robots is not required here - they are absolutely interactive and react to external factors.

Such mechanisms will be an excellent gift to a child who dreams of having a pet, but does not have such an opportunity. Subordination to commands, playfulness, sounds issued by the robot - all this is copied from real animals, but at the same time one does not need to take care of food, walks and other aspects that children often shift to the shoulders of their parents, having received a coveted pet.

Multifunctionality

The robot on the remote control for boys is not only an excuse to have fun, but also a sure way to hit both peers and parents. Limit the functions of such toys only entertaining can not - modern cyborgs can teach children, guessing their riddles, learning songs and poems, repeating words in foreign languages. Moreover, a number of robots will learn from their master: as a reaction to a certain word or gesture, you can specify some combination of movements or sounds. It will look very impressive, especially for those who rarely encounter similar devices.

In principle, almost all robots on the control panel have about two dozen pawned programs, but the opportunity to increase their number will be a terrific gift.

Finally

I would like to end by saying that the robots on the control panel are much more than just a toy. With their multifunctionality, they will take even the most capricious child for a long time - he just can not tear himself away from the device. In addition, training robots will help children develop both logical thinking and fine motor skills, since it is also necessary to manage with the remote control. One has only to hesitate, and the robot will crash into something or fall, and maybe even break.

Robots-animals will be an excellent opportunity to understand if the child is ready to purchase a pet, or he just needs another toy, without which he can easily do without. A radio-controlled robot is a terrific gift that will amaze not only children, but adults as well, who are unlikely to expect such miracles from the toy. The price of the question depends on the complexity of the robot and its functionality and is from twenty-five dollars or more. But the joy of the child is really worth the money.